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Sweet strawberry cottage cheese clusters coated with rich chocolate. This healthy sweet treat is gluten-free, vegetarian and kid-friendly.
My two favorite berries are strawberries and blueberries. When strawberry season hits, I’m eating them every day, so I figured it’s time to make some legitimately good snacks.
These strawberry chocolate clusters are filled with cottage cheese which makes them both slightly savory and sweet. A perfect balance with the acidic but sweet strawberries.
The kids love these. They are usually gone within a day! Just saying!
These cottage cheese chocolate clusters are made with wholesome ingredients, which makes them a perfect afternoon snack.
Or if you feel a bit hungry after dinner and want something sweet to fill you up.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItAnother great thing about this recipe is how simple it is to make. With just seven ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a batch ready in under three hours (most of it is freezing time).
Ingredients and Substitutes
Cottage cheese, I used 4% (1 cup) – If you don’t like cottage cheese (or don’t have it), you can also use ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt.
Strawberries, chopped (1 cup) – Frozen strawberries work just as well, just make sure you thaw them to avoid excess moisture. And, you can also experiment with other berries like blueberries or raspberries.
Shredded coconut (1 1/2 cup) – Swap with chopped almonds, or walnuts for different flavors and textures.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – I’ve found that pure vanilla extract provides the best flavor, but you can also use vanilla paste or almond extract.
Agave or honey (1/4 cup) – You can also use maple syrup, date syrup, or a sugar-free option like stevia.
Chocolate chips (1 1/2 cup) – Try using dark chocolate chips to lower sugar contents.
Coconut oil (1 tbsp)
How to Make Strawberry Cottage Cheese Chocolate Clusters
Step 1. Grab a bowl and add the cottage cheese, strawberries, shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and agave.
Step 2. Give the ingredients a good stir to combine everything.
Step 3. Cover a baking sheet or a chopping board with parchment paper. Just make sure it fits your freezer.
Scoop some of the mixture using a tablespoon and place it onto the baking sheet. You should be making around 10 clusters.
Place them in the freezer for up to 2 hours or until the clusters harden.
Step 4. Just before you take the clusters from the freezer, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a bowl. Place them in the microwave and heat them up in 30-second intervals (make sure you stir in between).
Take the clusters from the freezer, dip them in the chocolate using two forks (make sure you flip them to coat everything), and place them back onto the parchment paper.
Place them back into the fridge for 10-15 minutes to harden the chocolate.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow I Would Modify This Recipe
- Low Carb – Friendly Version: Replace the agave with a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or stevia. Use sugar-free chocolate chips and increase the coconut content to keep the texture.
- Vegan Option: Swap the cottage cheese with cashew cream or thick coconut yogurt. If you are making your own cashew cream, soak the cashews with a little water until they are smooth and creamy to get the best texture.
- Add Some Flavor: You can try adding other ingredients to have different flavors. For example, you can use other berries, use cranberries, or chopped dates.
My Tips & Tricks
- Drain Your Strawberries Properly: Remove any excess moisture to prevent the clusters from getting soggy. After you chop the strawberries, pat them with some paper towel and let them sit for a few minutes.
- Chill Your Mixing Bowl: This is going to help the mixture hold together better when forming the clusters and prevent the cottage cheese from becoming warm or runny.
- Have Everything Ready for the Coating Process: Make sure you have the chocolate coating ready before taking the clusters out of the freezer. If you take too long, they can soften and affect the form of the cluster.
My Storage Tips
I know it’s going to be difficult to just have only one or two clusters. But you are going to want to keep the clusters fresh to enjoy them throughout the week.
Place any leftovers in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking. They are going to help keep the texture and flavor for up to 5-7 days.
And, if you want to keep them for longer, you can place them in a freezer-safe container and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Strawberry Cottage Cheese Chocolate Clusters
Cals: 250 Protein: 4.1 Carbs: 32 Fat: 14
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese I used 4%
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- 1 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup agave or honey
- 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine cottage cheese, strawberries, shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and agave in a bowl.
- Cover a baking sheet or a chopping board with parchment paper (make sure it fits into your freezer).
- Scoop the mixture with a tablespoon onto the baking sheet with parchment paper and form around 10 clusters.
- Place in the freezer for 2 hours until the clusters set in and harden up.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil into a bowl, pop into the microwave, and heat up in 30s intervals and stir in between until the chocolate fully melts.
- Dip the clusters inside the chocolate with two forks, flipping them, and then place them back onto the parchment paper. Pop into the fridge for 10-15 minutes before serving. Store them in the fridge and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you use sweetened coconut?
I used unsweetened! Both will work, I prefer the lower sugar version.
Should the cottage cheese be blended smooth?
Not necessary but I love to blend it smooth for texture!